Ince has made a mockery of Liverpool’s decision to allow him to join Blackpool on a free transfer in 2011. With his dad Paul having just been sacked, it’s hard to see the Seasiders hanging on much longer to a player whose great acceleration, close control, tricky skills and a strike rate of more than one goal every three games has made him the hottest property outside the Premier League. Summer suitors Cardiff, Stoke and Swansea have all expressed an interest along with former side Monaco, but there are still strong rumours he could end up back at Anfield.

Clarets manager Sean Dyche insists the England under-21 international is going nowhere during the transfer window, despite interest from Fulham and West Brom. With Burnley making a strong promotion challenge, it’s a fair bet that, one way or another, Ings will be in the top flight sooner rather than later. Six goals in his first two injury-hit seasons at Turf Moor after his £1million signing from Bournemouth have been cast aside as he has filled the boots left by Charlie Austin’s summer move to QPR with 21 this season. Ings’ longest run without a goal this season is a mere two games as he has formed the division’s most prolific striking partnership with Sam Vokes.

Alex McCarthy has been a shining light for Reading this season (Picture: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

The Reading academy graduate isn’t just a diamond on the pitch – he sells them off it, having set up a bespoke jewellery company with schoolfriend Adam Brown. But it is between the sticks where McCarthy has really sparkled, having finally become a regular at the Madejski Stadium following loan spells with eight clubs. Royals manager Nigel Adkins has admitted that, with another good stopper in Adam Federici waiting in the wings, McCarthy could move in the transfer window and Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are among those to have expressed an interest.

Luke Moore has been on a steep learning curve at Leicester City (Picture: Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson confirmed he turned down two bids from Fulham for the home-grown youngster earlier in the transfer window and the suggested £2million certainly doesn’t seem to reflect the 20-year-old’s true value. Moore has actually been with Leicester from the age of seven admits he has benefited from the advice he has been given by his manager – a formidable centre-half in his playing days – as well as experienced central defensive partner Wes Morgan. A fractured rib suffered against Middlesbrough on Saturday and the fact Leicester looked destined to win promotion makes him one of the more unlikely players in this list to make a move.

Will Hughes has been a shining light for Derby this season (Picture: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

Despite his tender years, Hughes is one of the most instantly recognisable players in the Championship, with his vivid hair and educated left foot. Something of a footballing rarity, having gone to the private Repton School, potential suitors shouldn’t take too much notice of his manager Steve McLaren’s suggestion that a dip in form led to Hughes being left out of Saturday’s draw at Blackburn. No one has had more influence than the precocious teenager in the Rams’ rise to third in the Championship and, despite being under contract until 2016, the speculation that he will end up at Liverpool sooner or later shows no sign of drying up.

JORDAN RHODES

Club: BlackburnAge: 23Position: Striker

Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes has been prolific throughout his career (Picture: PA)

Liam Bridcutt has made it clear he wants to jump up a level (Picture: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Another player linked with a move to the Stadium of Light and Bridcutt clearly welcomes the interest of Poyet, his former Seagulls boss, having handed in a transfer request. The major sticking point so far appears to be Brighton’s failure to land their own targets but the Scotland player’s quality is no secret, with Crystal Palace having failed with a £1.75m bid at the end of the last transfer window. Having come through Chelsea’s youth system, Bridcutt has flourished on the south coast and was Brighton’s player of the year last season.

SCOTT DANN

Club: BlackburnAge: 26Position: Defender

Scott Dann could be a crucial signing for one of the Premier League’s strugglers (Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

While no bid has been made for Jordan Rhodes, the same cannot be said for his Blackburn team mate. However, once linked with Liverpool (the club he supports), the potential destinations in this window are rather more modest. Crystal Palace and Norwich are believed to be most keen on the impressive defender, rightly ignoring the fact he has already been relegated three times in his career. Dann’s current wages, a remnant of Rovers’ Premier League days, are believed to a stumbling block while Bowyer insists Dann will remain a Rovers player until the club’s valuation is met.

A less tried and tested option, but Lascelles interested Arsenal long before he broke into Forest’s first team while Everton were fined £45,000 for an unauthorised pursuit of the defender three years ago while he was still in Forest’s academy. Strong in the air and with an impressive turn of speed, Lascelles has been a dominant presence in Forest’s defence this season and Everton clearly haven’t been put off, with Roberto Martinez this week making a fresh approach.

ROSS McCORMACK

Club: Leeds UnitedAge: 27Position: Striker

Ross McCormack has led from the front for Leeds this season (Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

The subject of a £3.5million approach by West Ham, the Scot’s influence at Elland Road is such that he was recently appointed captain. Where Leeds would be without McCormack’s goals this season is anyone’s guess – the equaliser at Ipswich on Tuesday that ended a five-match losing streak was his 19th of the season. Manager Brian McDermott has said he doesn’t expect any more bids for his talisman during the transfer window but, with the club’s latest takeover attempt apparently on the brink of collapse, off-field issues could yet force his hand.